Michael Gatton
@mgatton.bsky.social
Retired NYC teacher. NC Democrat. Anti-fascist. Angry old man.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Manchin is not a stupid man. But so many senators get so invested in the mythology of the filibuster. It’s like a religious belief — factually disproving it does nothing but irritate adherents.
So Joe Manchin doesn't understand the history of the filibuster - or the metaphorical use of "holy grail"
December 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Manchin is not a stupid man. But so many senators get so invested in the mythology of the filibuster. It’s like a religious belief — factually disproving it does nothing but irritate adherents.
Mood
Built to Spill - You Were Right
YouTube video by MrAlstec
youtu.be
December 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Mood
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Conservatives rebranded bigotry and every time the media uses “wokeness” as a euphemism they are helping a movement that it quite literally erasing the history marginalized people’s role in American life.
December 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Conservatives rebranded bigotry and every time the media uses “wokeness” as a euphemism they are helping a movement that it quite literally erasing the history marginalized people’s role in American life.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Victor is right. Promotion of the word "wokeness" allows right-wingers to pretend their racism and sexism is issues-oriented rather than hate-oriented.
Conservatives rebranded bigotry and every time the media uses “wokeness” as a euphemism they are helping a movement that it quite literally erasing the history marginalized people’s role in American life.
December 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Victor is right. Promotion of the word "wokeness" allows right-wingers to pretend their racism and sexism is issues-oriented rather than hate-oriented.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Intentionally killing innocent people is always wrong.
Wherever in the world it happens.
You might think everyone agrees with this simple moral principle, and yet far too many people, on far too many different sections of the political spectrum, try and make exceptions to it.
Wherever in the world it happens.
You might think everyone agrees with this simple moral principle, and yet far too many people, on far too many different sections of the political spectrum, try and make exceptions to it.
December 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Intentionally killing innocent people is always wrong.
Wherever in the world it happens.
You might think everyone agrees with this simple moral principle, and yet far too many people, on far too many different sections of the political spectrum, try and make exceptions to it.
Wherever in the world it happens.
You might think everyone agrees with this simple moral principle, and yet far too many people, on far too many different sections of the political spectrum, try and make exceptions to it.
The only way to stop an antisemitic bad guy with a gun is a Muslim hero without a gun saying hell no.
Australian news reporting that the hero bystander here is named Ahmed al Ahmed. Muslim, father of two.
WATCH: Bystander disarms active shooter at Bondi Beach in Sydney
December 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The only way to stop an antisemitic bad guy with a gun is a Muslim hero without a gun saying hell no.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
This is not a sign that Ukraine is winning the land war, but its an important sign that the doom laden narrative (ukraine has "no cards" Ukraine will collapse) is wrong. Watch out, this narrative is being used to try and convince Europeans that Ukraine must take a terrible deal.
December 14, 2025 at 9:58 AM
This is not a sign that Ukraine is winning the land war, but its an important sign that the doom laden narrative (ukraine has "no cards" Ukraine will collapse) is wrong. Watch out, this narrative is being used to try and convince Europeans that Ukraine must take a terrible deal.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Fact-check: true
December 14, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Fact-check: true
Reposted by Michael Gatton
“There’s power in numbers, and now that people have seen we’ve successfully stopped abductions, I hope they can get out there too...”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘There’s power in numbers’: New Yorkers are banding together to protect street vendors from ICE
With ICE targeting vendors and fear rising, community groups are organising fast to keep New Yorkers working on the streets safe
www.theguardian.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:34 AM
“There’s power in numbers, and now that people have seen we’ve successfully stopped abductions, I hope they can get out there too...”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Nate Silver insults Heather Cox Richardson in a desperate bid to steal a fraction of the attention she's earned. But my favorite Silver tweet remains this 2022 classic:
“I still think Eric Adams would be in my top 5 for ‘who will be the next Democratic presidential nominee after Joe Biden?’"
“I still think Eric Adams would be in my top 5 for ‘who will be the next Democratic presidential nominee after Joe Biden?’"
December 13, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Nate Silver insults Heather Cox Richardson in a desperate bid to steal a fraction of the attention she's earned. But my favorite Silver tweet remains this 2022 classic:
“I still think Eric Adams would be in my top 5 for ‘who will be the next Democratic presidential nominee after Joe Biden?’"
“I still think Eric Adams would be in my top 5 for ‘who will be the next Democratic presidential nominee after Joe Biden?’"
Reposted by Michael Gatton
In 2026 Democrats can be both warriors for working people against oligarchy *and* proud patriots fighting for democracy here and abroad. My latest essay 👇
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/in-2026-de...
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/in-2026-de...
In 2026 Democrats Can Be Both Warriors For Working People Against Oligarchy AND Proud Patriots Fighting For Democracy Here And Abroad
In recent weeks the threat Trump represents to democracy here and abroad has become far more clear. Pro-democracy forces must forcefully rise to the challenge in the months ahead
www.hopiumchronicles.com
December 13, 2025 at 6:14 PM
In 2026 Democrats can be both warriors for working people against oligarchy *and* proud patriots fighting for democracy here and abroad. My latest essay 👇
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/in-2026-de...
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/in-2026-de...
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Instead of spending $1 trillion on talking Wikipedia can someone invent a robot to clean my kitchen and do the dishes? I would absolutely buy that.
There’s a frenzy of development going on to support the AI revolution, and with it an insatiable demand for debt to fund it.
AI Data Center Boom Sparks Fears of Glut Amid Lending Frenzy
Two data center billionaires minted before anything is even built. A borrower seeking a loan for 150% of the construction cost. And companies that are using financial engineering to keep liabilities off their balance sheets.
bloom.bg
December 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Instead of spending $1 trillion on talking Wikipedia can someone invent a robot to clean my kitchen and do the dishes? I would absolutely buy that.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
This is The Onion. Right?
“Those of us on the left should be fighting to improve protections for workers of all races, and thereby for the betterment of people’s material conditions regardless of their views,” Arash Azizi argues:
Why the Cinnabon Story Doesn’t Make Me Happy
The left should be promoting working-class solidarity, not delighting in seeing workers summarily dismissed.
bit.ly
December 13, 2025 at 5:42 PM
This is The Onion. Right?
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Universal basic income will reduce crime. That crime didn't go down in the Finland pilot does not disprove that, and it definitely doesn't disprove the causation of crime by poverty, nor support the eugenics view that crime is in the genes like Elon appears to grossly believe.
Elon Musk is Wrong About Basic Income and Crime: Here is the Pile of Evidence He Ignored
Why Elon Musk is wrong about the Finland experiment, and why we must stop ignoring the massive body of evidence that proves poverty is a policy choice that drives crime
scottsantens.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Universal basic income will reduce crime. That crime didn't go down in the Finland pilot does not disprove that, and it definitely doesn't disprove the causation of crime by poverty, nor support the eugenics view that crime is in the genes like Elon appears to grossly believe.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Republicans failed to flip any legislative seats this year, losing ground even in New Jersey, where they had high hopes, and failing to gain several districts that Trump carried last year.
Democrats, meanwhile, flipped 25 seats.
Democrats, meanwhile, flipped 25 seats.
In 2025, Democrats Flipped 21 Percent of GOP-Held Legislative Seats
The party secured strong gains reminiscent of 2017, our annual review of state legislative results shows. They won multiple new seats in New Jersey, Virginia, Iowa, and Mississippi.
boltsmag.org
December 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Republicans failed to flip any legislative seats this year, losing ground even in New Jersey, where they had high hopes, and failing to gain several districts that Trump carried last year.
Democrats, meanwhile, flipped 25 seats.
Democrats, meanwhile, flipped 25 seats.
Purge
7 Democrats joined Republicans in voting to prevent states from applying their own clean water laws to pipeline project reviews.
Jim Costa
Henry Cuellar
Don Davis
Jared Golden
Vicente Gonzalez
Adam Gray
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
Jim Costa
Henry Cuellar
Don Davis
Jared Golden
Vicente Gonzalez
Adam Gray
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
clerk.house.gov
December 13, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Purge
Reposted by Michael Gatton
7 Democrats joined Republicans in voting to prevent states from applying their own clean water laws to pipeline project reviews.
Jim Costa
Henry Cuellar
Don Davis
Jared Golden
Vicente Gonzalez
Adam Gray
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
Jim Costa
Henry Cuellar
Don Davis
Jared Golden
Vicente Gonzalez
Adam Gray
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
clerk.house.gov
December 13, 2025 at 1:00 AM
7 Democrats joined Republicans in voting to prevent states from applying their own clean water laws to pipeline project reviews.
Jim Costa
Henry Cuellar
Don Davis
Jared Golden
Vicente Gonzalez
Adam Gray
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
Jim Costa
Henry Cuellar
Don Davis
Jared Golden
Vicente Gonzalez
Adam Gray
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Folks, the Dem establishment must be culled. They aren't your fighters. They don't care about you. They will not champion reform.
Here's Exhibit 429
prospect.org/2025/12/12/d...
Here's Exhibit 429
prospect.org/2025/12/12/d...
Democratic Voters Are Clamoring for AI Regulation. Their Leaders Aren’t Interested. - The American Prospect
A new AI commission established by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries includes several corporate-friendly legislators.
prospect.org
December 13, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Folks, the Dem establishment must be culled. They aren't your fighters. They don't care about you. They will not champion reform.
Here's Exhibit 429
prospect.org/2025/12/12/d...
Here's Exhibit 429
prospect.org/2025/12/12/d...
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Nope. Because this is all about the short and long term. We have to cull these people now or put the pressure on them and see if they'll change or else we all screwed.
You're not wrong, but can we please wait until after the midterms before we start the internal war? We always shoot ourselves in the foot and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with the in-fighting. Why don't we put 100% of the attention on them and their failures and win first then cull?
December 13, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Nope. Because this is all about the short and long term. We have to cull these people now or put the pressure on them and see if they'll change or else we all screwed.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Again, what more do you need to see from the Dem Establishment? This is disgusting.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Henry Cuellar will retake key spending post after Trump pardon
The Texas Democrat faced some opposition inside the House Appropriations Committee.
www.politico.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Again, what more do you need to see from the Dem Establishment? This is disgusting.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Medicare for all, paid leave, universal childcare.
Busting up big corporations and tackling Wall Street’s greed.
Getting big money out of politics.
Supporting unions and fighting for higher wages.
If Dems want to win back working people, this is the agenda they must support.
Busting up big corporations and tackling Wall Street’s greed.
Getting big money out of politics.
Supporting unions and fighting for higher wages.
If Dems want to win back working people, this is the agenda they must support.
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Medicare for all, paid leave, universal childcare.
Busting up big corporations and tackling Wall Street’s greed.
Getting big money out of politics.
Supporting unions and fighting for higher wages.
If Dems want to win back working people, this is the agenda they must support.
Busting up big corporations and tackling Wall Street’s greed.
Getting big money out of politics.
Supporting unions and fighting for higher wages.
If Dems want to win back working people, this is the agenda they must support.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
Democrats biggest challenge is to build the credibility to say that the scale of Trump's corruption is greater and the consequences are super real and, while they have been imperfect in the past, they will be reformers with heart going forward.
Jeffries and Schumer need to be sidelined.
Jeffries and Schumer need to be sidelined.
December 12, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Democrats biggest challenge is to build the credibility to say that the scale of Trump's corruption is greater and the consequences are super real and, while they have been imperfect in the past, they will be reformers with heart going forward.
Jeffries and Schumer need to be sidelined.
Jeffries and Schumer need to be sidelined.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
1. Trump 1.0 was more corrupt than even Nixon.
2. Trump 2.0 is Trump 1.0, but to coin a phrase, ON STEROIDS.
3. Yet the challenge for Democrats is world weary cynicism that all politicians are the same.
Unforced errors like this reinforce 3 & are really bad for the party!
2. Trump 2.0 is Trump 1.0, but to coin a phrase, ON STEROIDS.
3. Yet the challenge for Democrats is world weary cynicism that all politicians are the same.
Unforced errors like this reinforce 3 & are really bad for the party!
"House Democrats on Thursday voted to return Rep. Henry Cuellar to his leadership role on the House Appropriations Committee following his presidential pardon on federal corruption charges."
JICYMI - Shameful, repulsive move by House Democrats and their leaders. Disgraceful.
JICYMI - Shameful, repulsive move by House Democrats and their leaders. Disgraceful.
Democrats Return Henry Cuellar to Powerful Spending Post After Trump Pardon
“We got ratified,” Cuellar told reporters after the vote.
www.notus.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:30 PM
1. Trump 1.0 was more corrupt than even Nixon.
2. Trump 2.0 is Trump 1.0, but to coin a phrase, ON STEROIDS.
3. Yet the challenge for Democrats is world weary cynicism that all politicians are the same.
Unforced errors like this reinforce 3 & are really bad for the party!
2. Trump 2.0 is Trump 1.0, but to coin a phrase, ON STEROIDS.
3. Yet the challenge for Democrats is world weary cynicism that all politicians are the same.
Unforced errors like this reinforce 3 & are really bad for the party!
Jeffries making sure the both-sides crowd doesn't go hungry.
"House Democrats on Thursday voted to return Rep. Henry Cuellar to his leadership role on the House Appropriations Committee following his presidential pardon on federal corruption charges."
JICYMI - Shameful, repulsive move by House Democrats and their leaders. Disgraceful.
JICYMI - Shameful, repulsive move by House Democrats and their leaders. Disgraceful.
Democrats Return Henry Cuellar to Powerful Spending Post After Trump Pardon
“We got ratified,” Cuellar told reporters after the vote.
www.notus.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Jeffries making sure the both-sides crowd doesn't go hungry.
Reposted by Michael Gatton
